Rhythm of History Exhibition
Cast your eyes (and ears) back at an interactive exhibition about the steel pan’s incredible journey – from ‘Operation Britain’ to global fame and future moves.
Discover the fascinating history of the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) and ‘Operation Britain’, the legendary grassroots campaign that galvanised the nation of Trinidad to fund the orchestra’s historic trip taking them to their performance outside the Royal Festival Hall as part of the 1951 Festival of Britain.
Captured on film and broadcast worldwide, this landmark performance propelled the steel pan onto the global stage.
There’s also a chance to get involved and design your own modern ‘Operation Britain’. Inspired by history, share your vision for the community efforts we can build together to create a connected, supportive and musically expressive society.
This project is a collaboration with Culture&, an independent arts and heritage organisation diversifying the industries since 1988.
Need to know
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
25 Jul 2026, 11.30am
Standard entry
Free – no ticket required
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Make a donation
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For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.